Housing Chatter delivers the news you need to know about current events in the housing market in simple terms. We have no political or institutional affiliations so you can be confident that our content and commentary is unbiased. Housing Chatter is brought to you by your professional Realtor®.

7 Places To Stop Organizing That Even Organized People Will Agree With

If you've ever read anything I've written on organization, you know I'm one of those people -- the hyper-neat type who takes their habit way too far and unintentionally makes you second guess every decision you've made around your home when I come to visit. But, even I know that sometimes a little clutter is actually (brace yourselves) ... Read More »

203K Home Buyer Loan: What Is It and Whos Eligible

The 203K is a home-ownership loan program originated by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which is a division of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This type of FHA-guaranteed mortgage loan can allow you to either buy a home that's in poor shape and fix it up, or refinance and repair your current home. The loan comes in two types: ... Read More »

How Do You Work Best?

When do you work best? Is it between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.? Or do you perhaps have the clearest head at 7 a.m. and trouble focusing in the afternoon? Is it only on Monday through Friday? Or do you sometimes struggle to think straight on Mondays, but have great ideas on Saturdays?Where do you work best? Is it while sitting at th ... Read More »

17 Slogans That Frankly Make More Sense Than the Real Ones, Pt. 6

honestslogans.comIt's that time of year once again, when women become obsessed with pumpkin spice lattes and men start downing amber ales in front of a campfire. Fall is fast approaching, and what better time than now to share a few more Honest Slogans? We could all use a little more honesty in our lives, and advertising is no exception ... Read More »

We’re All ‘Friends’ Here: Homes of 1990s Stars

Even if you and your favorite 90s stars are “on a break,” you might want to pause your Discman and check out their recent real estate transactions. Your entertainment and pop culture favorites found their way through many ups and downs — marriages, divorces, addictions and bankruptcies. Some also found ways to get back in the game, even if that meant going o ... Read More »

Five Reasons I Cant Adapt to the Suburbs

It was seven years ago this summer that my family and I moved to the suburbs. We loved the city but left it behind for the typical reasons. My wife and I decided we needed more space. We thought the boys should have a backyard. And we had no intention of drinking past 10.We've adapted very nicely to the suburbs. The boys play in the ba ... Read More »

The 5 Stages Of Stuff: Make Moving Easier

Theory is one thing, practice is another.I could write all day about aging in place and downsizing. Hey, wait. I have written all day about aging in place and downsizing. Then I actually downsized. And moved. And lived in a hotel for a month in between. It was all such a hassle that all I could think was, "No wonder people put this off ... Read More »

Fewer Investors in Housing Market Good News for First-Time Buyers

First-time homebuyers may face less competition in the fall housing market as investors retreated from the market in August, data from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATON OF REALTORS® show. Home sales activity in August 2014 remains stronger than earlier in the year, but fell last month as investors stepped away, says NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun.“There was a marked ... Read More »

10 Toys You Should Never Buy Your Child

As kind, loving parents, we want our children to be happy. Even if it means making us unhappy, annoyed, bored, miserable... You know, like when we buy the most ridiculous over-priced annoying crap toys, that we end up wanting to smash into a million pieces, just to see that beautiful heartwarming smile on our child's face.Well, I say it ... Read More »

Make This House a Home

I have lived in 20 homes thus far in my life. The count would ring higher if I counted every weigh station that bookended those 20 homes, but I'll stop at 20 because that feels sufficiently nomadic on its own. Of the lot, there were houses that really mattered and became home in every way four walls and a roof can. There were also ones ... Read More »

What You Can Buy for $350,000

Among other factors, median home values can vary drastically depending on the state, city, and neighborhood. According to the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), the median home value in California, for example, is $430,700 — the highest median home value out of all 50 states. If that sounds massive, try the median home value in San Francisco, which currently si ... Read More »